Key Events

Permission refused

Blimey, that was a short deliberation.

After a few minutes the committee refuses the application.

It notes the refusal of a similar request for street collections by UCKG in 2013 and says although that four years ago it is not satisfied with the new application - and that nobody has turned up to represent the church.

And there it is. Permission refused.

10:48

Decision time

Committee chairman John Thomas again.

He says: “The material before us has been turned down before (in 2013).

“It would appear, in my opinion, the generosity of the British public is being taken for granted.

“We have to be very careful what we are asking members of the public to contribute to.

“We have to be copper-bottomed and convinced it is bona fide and for a good cause.

“If they were bona fide they would come forward and state their case proudly.”

He says it is not helpful that nobody from the church has come to the meeting to answer questions.

And with that, as is normal, the committee goes into private session to discuss whether to permit or refuse the UCKG’s application to collect cash in the city centre.

You’d get long odds on this being approved.

10:45

'I am very suspicious about having nobody here'

Licensing officers are setting out the application and have referred to the 2013 application by church which was rejected.

Councillors are told a trawl of the internet in October and November has revealed no concerns recently about the UCKG or its members.

The councillors aren’t however impressed at the no show from the church.

Committee member Bill Shelton says: “I am very suspicious about having nobody here.

“I think it is because they wouldn’t like some of the questions they would be asked.

Coun Sue Hunter wants to know more about a help centre UCKG has on Abbey Street in Leicester but points out there is nobody here to answer her questions about who the collected money will actually benefit.

10:36

No-one from the church

The committee councillors are all here but as yet it’s unclear whether anyone from the church will attend to make its case.